Karnataka: With an eye on the bypolls and Lingayat vote bank, BJP govt announces 'Anubahava Mantapa' in Basavakalyana
BENGALURU: In what appears to be an effort to strengthen its hold on the Lingayat vote bank, ahead of the October 21 bypolls in 15 assembly constituencies, the Karnataka government and chief minister BS Yediyurappa have announced the construction an "Anubhava Mantapa" in Bidar, honoring the 12th century reformer, and revered demi-god of the Lingayat community, Basavanna.
While the government has categorically stated that the announcement does not amount to poll code violation, considering the calendar of events have been announced for the bypolls, the election commission was unavailable for comments immediately.
Repeated efforts to contact the chief election officer Sanjiv Kumar went in vain.
As per the decision taken by the state government, law and parliamentary affairs minister JC Madhuswamy said the mega structure will be constructed at a cost of Rs 50 crore in memory of Basavanna and in the backdrop of the Kalyana Karnataka independence day.
“Earlier last week, when the CM went to celebrate the independence day of the Kalyana Karnataka region there was a demand from the locals to announce a grand gesture to remember the day. With extreme pressure from people of the region, the CM today has taken a decision and secured the approval of the cabinet to construct the Anubhava Mantapa in Basavakalyana,” said Madhuswamy.
The minister briefed the media and said the cabinet has also approved the release of Rs 20 crore immediately for the construction of the Mantapa.
Incidentally, the constituency of Vijayanagara which comes under Kalyana Karnataka region also goes to polls on October 21.
The decision of honouring Basavanna with the structure may have a telling effect on the Lingayat vote bank which is decisive in no less than six of the 15 constituencies that are going to bypolls. These include Athani, Gokak, Ranibennur, Kagwad, Vijayanagara, Hirekerur.
Justifying that the poll code does not have a bearing on this decision, Madhuswamy said: “The poll code does not come in the way of the announcement as there is no law prohibiting the announcement in a district which does not have a by-poll seat. Furthermore, barring travelling in official vehicles in the district which has a bypoll seat and using the inspection bungalows and government offices, there is nothing that suggests we cannot take a decision on an emergency basis.”
While the government has categorically stated that the announcement does not amount to poll code violation, considering the calendar of events have been announced for the bypolls, the election commission was unavailable for comments immediately.
Repeated efforts to contact the chief election officer Sanjiv Kumar went in vain.
As per the decision taken by the state government, law and parliamentary affairs minister JC Madhuswamy said the mega structure will be constructed at a cost of Rs 50 crore in memory of Basavanna and in the backdrop of the Kalyana Karnataka independence day.
“Earlier last week, when the CM went to celebrate the independence day of the Kalyana Karnataka region there was a demand from the locals to announce a grand gesture to remember the day. With extreme pressure from people of the region, the CM today has taken a decision and secured the approval of the cabinet to construct the Anubhava Mantapa in Basavakalyana,” said Madhuswamy.
The minister briefed the media and said the cabinet has also approved the release of Rs 20 crore immediately for the construction of the Mantapa.
Incidentally, the constituency of Vijayanagara which comes under Kalyana Karnataka region also goes to polls on October 21.
The decision of honouring Basavanna with the structure may have a telling effect on the Lingayat vote bank which is decisive in no less than six of the 15 constituencies that are going to bypolls. These include Athani, Gokak, Ranibennur, Kagwad, Vijayanagara, Hirekerur.
Justifying that the poll code does not have a bearing on this decision, Madhuswamy said: “The poll code does not come in the way of the announcement as there is no law prohibiting the announcement in a district which does not have a by-poll seat. Furthermore, barring travelling in official vehicles in the district which has a bypoll seat and using the inspection bungalows and government offices, there is nothing that suggests we cannot take a decision on an emergency basis.”
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